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PROPOSAL –

Boarding and Alighting Subcommittee

NOTES: The colored text below indicates sections that include new material that differs from 

the current Access Board Guidelines. Text in brackets (shown in yellow) indicates references to 

specifications for elements that need to be filled in. Staff assistance is requested to calculate 

accurate metric specifications that correspond to inches/pounds.

Scoping

 General. 

o Rapid rail (e.g., subway) and high-speed rail cars purchased after the effective 

date of these requirements (to be determined by DOT) shall be designed for fulllength platform level boarding [using the same definition of level-entry boarding 

as in the DOT ADA regulation issued in 2011] and meet the provisions of this 

section. In stations constructed on or after January 26, 1992, all car doors 

through which passengers board and alight shall meet the gap requirements set 

forth below. In stations constructed prior to January 26, 1992, at least one door 

serving each on board seating area for wheelchairs and mobility aids shall meet 

these requirements. 

o All doors on light rail cars and commuter rail cars operating exclusively at level 

boarding station platforms shall comply with the gap requirements. At least one 

door through which passengers board and alight on each side serving each onboard seating area for wheelchairs and mobility aids of intercity rail cars, and 

commuter rail cars operating at mixed high and low platforms, shall meet these 

requirements. All doors on AGT (people mover) cars operating at speeds of 20 

mph or slower shall meet the requirements for “people movers” set forth below.

 Boarding and Alighting. All new rail and fixed guideway vehicles shall be compatible 

with level boarding. All steps shall incorporate a trap to cover the steps and bring the 

car floor level to the doorway. Doorways shall have a minimum vertical clearance of 74 

inches from the closed trap to the lintel. 

 Gaps. Wherever either or both of the conditions in (i) and (ii) are met, a car-borne ramp 

or bridgeplate or a car-borne lift shall be employed:

o (i) the horizontal gap between the boarding platform and the vehicle floor 

exceeds 2 inches

o (ii) the vertical difference between the boarding platform height and the vehicle 

floor exceeds plus or minus 5/8 inches.
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 People Movers. The horizontal gap between platform and car floor shall not exceed 1 

inch (25 mm). The vertical difference between platform and car floor shall not exceed 

plus or minus 5/8 inch.

 Operation. Where car doors open automatically at platforms designed for level 

boarding, ramps and bridgeplates shall deploy automatically. Deployment shall be 

integrated with door opening and closing. Manually deployed ramps and bridgeplates 

shall be permitted where doors are opened by train personnel and where the horizontal 

gap exceeds 12 inches (300 mm).

 Advisory Operation, The Committee recognizes that any gap between a rail vehicle 

and a platform can be a safety hazard for all travelers. The Committee recommends 

that the Board require all entries on new vehicles to have automated bridgeplates or 

ramps where gaps exist at platforms by the year 2020. 

Ramps and Bridgeplates

 General. Ramps and bridgeplates shall comply with this section. Ramps and 

bridgeplates shall be permitted to fold or telescope if all the technical requirements are 

met.

 Design Load. The design load of ramps and bridgeplates 30 inches (760 mm) or more in 

length shall be 800 pounds (364 kg) minimum. The design load of ramps and 

bridgeplates less than 30 inches (760 mm) in length shall be 400 pounds (182 kg)

minimum. Ramps and bridgeplates shall have a design safety factor of at least 3, based 

on the ultimate strength of the material.

o Advisory Design Load. The design load is the weight the ramp or bridgeplate is 

designed to support without damage or permanent deformation. Some 

deflection may occur under maximum load.

 Handrails. Handrails complying with [fill in latest version of specifications for Handrails, 

Stanchions, and Handholds] shall be provided on ramps and bridgeplates where the 

horizontal gap between platform and car floor exceeds 12 inches (300 mm).

 Clear Width. The ramp and bridgeplate clear width shall be 32 inches (800 mm)

minimum.

o Advisory Clear Width. A wider ramp or bridgeplate is recommended because it 

is more usable by passengers who use wheelchairs, and accommodates a 

broader range of passengers with disabilities. The ramp or bridgeplate can be 

nearly as wide as the door.
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 Attachment. When used for boarding and alighting, ramps and bridgeplates shall be 

firmly attached to the vehicle, shall not be subject to displacement from the vehicle, and 

shall overlap the platform. Ramps and bridgeplates shall engage to the vehicle in such a 

manner that they may not be dislodged by horizontal or vertical movement until 

actively disengaged by a member of the crew.

 Manual Operation. Power operated ramps and bridgeplates shall be capable of being 

operated manually and in a manner that is safe for the occupant and operator if the 

power fails.

 Surfaces. Ramp and bridgeplate surfaces shall comply with [fill in latest version of 

specifications for Surfaces], and shall be uninterrupted from edge to edge.

o Advisory Surfaces. Ramp and bridgeplate surfaces must be uninterrupted from 

edge to edge to accommodate three-wheel scooters. Expanded metal or 

perforated materials are permitted, as long as the openings comply with [fill in 

latest version of specifications for Openings].

 Edge Barriers. The edges of ramps and bridgeplates shall have barriers 2 inches (51 

mm) high minimum extending from the vehicle doorway to 6 inches from the outer end, 

and shall taper down smoothly.

 Slope. Ramps and bridgeplates shall have slopes not steeper than 1:8 (12.5 percent) 

when deployed to station platforms, measured at 50 percent passenger load.

o Advisory Slope. The Department of Transportation regulations at 49 CFR 

37.165(f) require vehicle operators to assist passengers with disabilities with the 

use of boarding devices, even if the vehicle operators must leave their seats.

Providing ramps and bridgeplates with the least possible slope accommodates a 

broader range of passengers with disabilities and minimizes the need for 

assistance.

 Transitions. Surface discontinuities at transitions from boarding and alighting areas to 

ramps and bridgeplates shall comply with [fill in latest version of specifications for 

Surface Discontinuities].

 Visual Contrast. The perimeter of the ramp and bridgeplate surface shall be outlined.

The outline shall be 1 inch (25 mm) wide minimum and shall contrast visually with the 

rest of the ramp and bridgeplate surface either light-on-dark or dark-on-light.

 Gaps. When deployed for boarding and alighting, gaps between the ramp or 

bridgeplate surface and vehicle floor, and the ramp or bridgeplate surface and the 

station platform, shall not permit passage of a sphere more than 5/8 inch (16 mm) in 

diameter.

 Stowage. Where portable ramps or bridgeplates are permitted, a compartment, 

securement system, or other method shall be provided within the vehicle to stow the 

ramps and bridgeplates when not in use. When stowed in passenger areas, portable 
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ramps and bridgeplates shall not pose a hazard to passengers, and shall not interfere 

with the maneuvering of wheelchairs.

Lifts

General.

 Design Load. The lift design load shall be 800 pounds (364 kg) minimum. Load carrying 

components that are subject to wear shall have a design safety factor of at least six, 

based on the ultimate strength of the material. Other components that are not subject 

to wear shall have a design safety factor of at least three, based on the ultimate 

strength of the material.

Controls.

 Interlocks. Lift controls shall be interlocked with the vehicle brakes, transmission, 

propulsion system, or door, or shall provide other systems to prevent the vehicle from 

moving when the lift is not stowed. Lift controls shall not be operable unless the 

interlocks are engaged.

 Sequence. Lift controls shall be of a momentary contact type requiring continuous 

manual pressure. Lift controls shall permit the operator to change the operation 

sequence. Lift controls shall not permit the lift platform to be folded, retracted, or 

stowed when occupied, unless the platform is designed to be occupied when stowed in 

the passenger area of the vehicle.

o Advisory Sequence. A rotary lift is an example of a lift platform that is designed 

to be occupied when the platform is rotated into a stowed position in the 

passenger area of the vehicle.

 Manual Operation. Lifts shall be capable of being operated manually if the power to 

the lift fails. The manual operation shall be safe for the occupant and operator when 

operated according to the manufacturer’s instructions. When operated manually, the 

lift platform shall deploy and lower to the boarding and alighting area or the roadway 

with an occupant; shall rise to the vehicle floor without an occupant; and shall stow.

The lift platform shall not fold, retract, or stow when occupied, unless the platform is 

designed to be occupied when stowed in the passenger area of the vehicle. Doors that 

must be opened to allow the lift to operate shall have interior and exterior manual 

releases.

Lift Platforms.

 Surfaces. Lift platform surfaces shall comply with general provisions for accessible 

routes [fill in latest version of specifications for Surfaces].
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 Size. The lift platform clear width shall be 32 inches (800 mm) minimum measured from

the platform surface to 40 inches (1015 mm) minimum above the platform surface. The 

lift platform clear length shall be 54 inches (1372 mm) minimum measured from the 

platform surface to 40 inches (1015 mm) above the platform surface.

 Edge Barriers. Lift platforms shall have edge barriers complying with [fill in latest 

version of specifications for Lift Edge Barriers] to prevent the wheels of wheelchairs 

from rolling off the platforms. Openings between lift platform surfaces and raised 

barriers shall not permit passage of a sphere 5/8 inch (16 mm) in diameter. Edge 

barriers shall not interfere with the maneuvering of wheelchairs.

 Gaps. When the lift platform is at the vehicle floor level and any edge barrier is 

lowered, the gap between the platform surface and the vehicle floor shall not permit 

passage of a sphere 5/8 inch (16 mm) in diameter.

 Threshold Ramps. Threshold ramps from boarding and alighting areas to lift platforms 

and edge barriers used as threshold ramps shall have slopes not steeper than 1:8 (12.5 

percent) for a rise of 3 inches (75 mm) maximum. The slope shall be measured when 

the lift platform is level. Surface discontinuities at transitions from boarding and 

alighting areas to threshold ramps shall comply with [fill in latest version of 

specifications for Surface Discontinuities].

 Visual Contrast. The perimeter of the lift platform surface shall be outlined. The 

outline shall be 1 inch (25 mm) wide minimum and shall contrast visually with the rest of 

the platform surface either light-on-dark or dark-on-light.

 Deflection. When occupied, lift platforms shall be permitted to deflect 3 degrees 

maximum in any direction with respect to the platform’s unloaded position, exclusive of 

vehicle roll or pitch.

 Movement. Lift platform movement shall comply with the following:

o Normal Operating Conditions. When occupied, lift platforms shall move at a 

rate of 6 inches/second (150 mm/second) maximum, and the horizontal and 

vertical acceleration shall be 0.3g maximum under normal operating conditions.

When folding, retracting, or stowing, lift platforms shall move at a rate of 12 

inches/second (306 mm/second) maximum under normal operating conditions, 

unless the platform is folded and stowed manually.

o Power or Equipment Failure. In the event of a power failure or single failure of 

any load carrying component, lift platforms that are occupied or are stowed in a 

vertical position shall move at rate of 12 inches/second (306 mm/second) 

maximum.

 Boarding Direction. Lift platforms shall permit passengers who use wheelchairs to 

board the platforms facing either toward or away from the vehicle.

 Standees. Lift platforms shall be usable by passengers who use walkers, crutches, 

canes, or braces or who otherwise have difficulty using steps. Lift platforms shall be 

permitted to be marked to indicate a preferred standing position.

 Handrails. Lifts platforms shall have handrails complying with general provisions for 

handrails [refer to latest version of specifications for Handrails, Stanchions, and 

Handholds] on two sides of the platform that move in tandem with the platform to 
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provide support for passengers in a standing position. Handrails shall have a usable 

gripping surface 8 inches (205 mm) long minimum. The gripping surface shall be 30 

inches (760 mm) minimum and 38 inches (965 mm) maximum above the lift platform 

surface. Handrails shall not interfere with the maneuvering of wheelchairs.